An advocacy group targeting negative stereotypes in the portrayal of military veterans on TV and in movies published a list Tuesday of a half-dozen times it thinks Hollywood has gotten it right — from war heroes to family men to reality-show contestants to the SEAL-turned-crime stopper who says "Book 'em, Danno."

Got Your 6's first "6 Certified" list hopes to recognize "projects that portray veterans reasonably and accurately," Chris Marvin, the group's executive director and a retired Army officer, said in a news release. Marvin told Army Times in February, just after an official 6 Certified launch that included first lady Michelle Obama and Bradley Cooper, that the project's goal was to "help shift perception of veterans in communities across the country."

The list, chosen by a panel of military and entertainment experts from projects submitted by studios or production houses prior to their release:

  • Modern Family. The ABC sitcom's patriarch, Jay Pritchett (Ed O'Neill), served in the Navy, but his time in uniform isn't a regular part of the show's plot line. In the announcement, Got Your 6 applauded the sitcom for using his service to add "another level of depth and color to the characterization."

CENTURY CITY, CA - MAY 18: Actor Ed O'Neill attends the ATAS Screening of the "Modern Family" Season Finale "American Skyper" at the Fox Studio Lot on May 18, 2015 in Century City, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

Ed O'Neill's work as a Navy vet-turned-"Modern Family" member earned praise from Got Your 6.

Photo Credit: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

  • American Sniper. Cooper's portrayal of SEAL Chris Kyle offered "a fully realized and multidimensional veteran character, who is portrayed as both a family man and community volunteer," the group said.
  • Hawaii Five-0. The CBS drama features Navy Reserve Lt. Cmdr. Steve McGarrett (Alex O'Loughlin) as the leader of a special crime-fighting task force who relies on his SEAL background to capture the bad guys. The program "portrays veterans as leaders and problem solvers," Got Your 6 said.
  • Dancing with the Stars. The group lauded Army veteran Noah Galloway's participation, saying it "counters stereotypical portrayals of veterans as 'charity cases.' " Galloway finished third.

GOOD MORNING AMERICA - ABC announced the "Dancing with the Stars" 10th anniversary celebrity cast and professional pairings live on "Good Morning America," TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24. "Dancing with the Stars" premieres live on MONDAY, MARCH 16 (8:00-10:01 p.m., ET), on ABC. (ABC/Todd Wawrychuk) NOAH GALLOWAY, SHARNA BURGESS

Army vet Noah Galloway's turn on "Dancing with the Stars" helped break traditional "charity case" veteran stereotypes, Got Your 6 said.

Photo Credit: Todd Wawrychuk/ABC

  • Amira and Sam. An Army vet falls for the niece of his former Iraqi translator in this well-regarded independent film. The group praised the movie for its use of "a lead character who translates his operational training into a positive civilian role back at home."
  • The Night Shift. Got Your 6 highlighted a recent episode of the NBC drama in which producers worked with the first lady and Dr. Jill Biden to show veterans overcoming post-traumatic stress.

Got Your 6 launched in 2012.

"For us ... we're improving perception in people's living rooms," Marvin said earlier this year. "That allows civilians to have higher expectations for veterans who return to their communities. Veterans are expected to lead and presumably will take on leadership roles, and the end result is, communities are stronger."

About Kevin Lilley

Kevin Lilley is the features editor of Military Times.

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